I have just witnessed possibly the greatest Premier League game in history as my West Bromwich Albion came from 3-0 down to draw 5-5 with the champions Man Utd in Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in charge. I also found a gingerbread man on the floor today So I am in a good mood all round

Now it's time for a great game of baseball

SEA: Hernandez CLE: Masterson

Mariners

SaundersAckleySeagerMoralesMorseIbanezSmoakMontero Ryan

Indians

BournKipnisBrantleySwisherGiambiSantanaReynoldsAvilesStubbs

Last edited by British_Pharaoh on Sun May 19, 2013 1:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"

Justin Masterson looks 200% different this season. Still want to see how he fares with lineups like Texas and Detroit. Knocked around by KC and BOS, the two best lineups he's faced. But it'd be huge if he can be a 17+ game winner.

That slider has been one hell of a weapon. So has increased use of the 4-seamer.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

I kinda feel bad for Seattle fans. For the last couple of years you heard about the young offensive players they were Collecting, Ackley(draft) and Smoak and Montero (trades)that were going to revitalize that offense......and nothing.

skatingtripods wrote:Justin Masterson looks 200% different this season. Still want to see how he fares with lineups like Texas and Detroit. Knocked around by KC and BOS, the two best lineups he's faced. But it'd be huge if he can be a 17+ game winner.

That slider has been one hell of a weapon. So has increased use of the 4-seamer.

It's weird how the one thing nobody was worried about (bullpen) is one part of the team that has been a bit shaky at times and not as dependable as we had hoped (although it certainly hasn't been a disaster, we've won a fair few 1 run games).

Most thought the rotation was going to fall apart at the seams and yet it has been our strongest attribute this year so far.

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"

Dnthateonthepronk wrote:I kinda feel bad for Seattle fans. For the last couple of years you heard about the young offensive players they were Collecting, Ackley(draft) and Smoak and Montero (trades)that were going to revitalize that offense......and nothing.

Dnthateonthepronk wrote:I kinda feel bad for Seattle fans. For the last couple of years you heard about the young offensive players they were Collecting, Ackley(draft) and Smoak and Montero (trades)that were going to revitalize that offense......and nothing.

I think the Indians are showing that you really need quality guys 1-9 to make the offense hum. 3-4 guys, no matter how talented, will get pitched around if you got scrubs hitting behind them (see Kotchman, Hannahan, Sloth, etc.)

One of the most underated guys on this current Tribe lineup has to be Stubs. He's been a pretty solid bat in the 9 hole and really has been setting the table for Bourne and the top of the order. Nevermind the RBI and knocks too. And the extra solid D. He's a been nice extra piece in the Choo trade.

British_Pharaoh wrote:It's weird how the one thing nobody was worried about (bullpen) is one part of the team that has been a bit shaky at times and not as dependable as we had hoped (although it certainly hasn't been a disaster, we've won a fair few 1 run games).

Most thought the rotation was going to fall apart at the seams and yet it has been our strongest attribute this year so far.

We're 24-2 with a lead or tied beginning the 5th inning this season. 11-3 in one-run games.

To say the bullpen's been shaky is ludicrous. Our six best relievers have combined for a 1.95 ERA.

Not exactly sure what you're talking about.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

British_Pharaoh wrote:It's weird how the one thing nobody was worried about (bullpen) is one part of the team that has been a bit shaky at times and not as dependable as we had hoped (although it certainly hasn't been a disaster, we've won a fair few 1 run games).

Most thought the rotation was going to fall apart at the seams and yet it has been our strongest attribute this year so far.

We're 24-2 with a lead or tied beginning the 5th inning this season. 11-3 in one-run games.

To say the bullpen's been shaky is ludicrous. Our six best relievers have combined for a 1.95 ERA.

Not exactly sure what you're talking about.

I suppose it seemed worse relative to the offense and starting pitching. occurences in this series may have skewed my perception. I did say 'at times' it looks shaky, and didn't use shaky as an adjective to characterise their efforts in these first 40+ games

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"

Dnthateonthepronk wrote:I kinda feel bad for Seattle fans. For the last couple of years you heard about the young offensive players they were Collecting, Ackley(draft) and Smoak and Montero (trades)that were going to revitalize that offense......and nothing.

I think the Indians are showing that you really need quality guys 1-9 to make the offense hum. 3-4 guys, no matter how talented, will get pitched around if you got scrubs hitting behind them (see Kotchman, Hannahan, Sloth, etc.)

Im not saying or discounting you dont need more, my point is these guys were/are supposed to be all star impact major league players and they have bombed.

British_Pharaoh wrote:It's weird how the one thing nobody was worried about (bullpen) is one part of the team that has been a bit shaky at times and not as dependable as we had hoped (although it certainly hasn't been a disaster, we've won a fair few 1 run games).

Most thought the rotation was going to fall apart at the seams and yet it has been our strongest attribute this year so far.

We're 24-2 with a lead or tied beginning the 5th inning this season. 11-3 in one-run games.

To say the bullpen's been shaky is ludicrous. Our six best relievers have combined for a 1.95 ERA.

Not exactly sure what you're talking about.

Although I concede to your point I would like to point out that 5 of those wins came in the 9th or extra innings after blown saves

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"